On May 16, 2025, Democracy Reporting International (DRI), with the support of Porticus, organized a full-day training on Artificial Intelligence in Journalism as part of the project “Voices from the Field: Supporting Independent Reporting in Lebanon.”
The training was delivered by Dr. Mohammad Ismail, Director of iMediaTechs, who was contracted to design the program and guide participants through a day of discovery and practice. Sixteen young journalists gathered at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Verdun, ready to explore how AI is reshaping their work.
Why the Training Mattered
Lebanese journalism has always played a crucial role in informing the public. Today, with AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes spreading fast, the need for resilient, ethical reporting has never been stronger.
This workshop was more than a crash course in AI. It was a turning point for the participants, equipping them with practical tools to verify facts, detect manipulated content, and apply AI responsibly in their reporting.
A Day of Learning and Practice
The training was structured to move step by step from understanding concepts to trying tools in real time:
- AI in Newsrooms: Exploring how automation and personalization are changing the way news is produced.
- Combating Disinformation: Learning to fact-check with AI and recognize deepfakes while debating the ethics behind it.
- Hands-On Tools: Working directly with Google Fact Check, Deepware, Otter.ai, DALL·E, and Semrush, and testing how they can support real newsroom tasks.
- Ethics in AI Journalism: Honest conversations on bias, privacy, and the human responsibility behind every AI tool.
Interactive discussions, quizzes, and group exercises kept the energy high throughout the day. Many participants left with not just new skills but also a stronger commitment to defending truth in the age of AI.
The Connection Continues
The impact didn’t end with the workshop. Many trainees still reach out with questions about AI, and we are proud to keep these connections alive. At iMediaTechs, our mission is not just to deliver a single training but to support ongoing learning and guide digital transformation in Lebanon.
This follow-up engagement proves that the training planted real seeds of curiosity and responsibility among the journalists. It shows how continuous support can make AI an empowering force for independent media.
Recognition
In their official recommendation, DRI expressed how valuable the training was:
“His deep knowledge of AI tools, engaging presentation style, and practical, hands-on approach made the training exceptionally impactful. We are confident that working with Dr. Ismail would be a significant asset to any organization.”
Looking Ahead
With the support of DRI and Porticus, and through delivery by iMediaTechs, this initiative gave young journalists the tools to:
- Spot and challenge misinformation.
- Detect deepfakes before they spread.
- Use AI responsibly while keeping ethics at the core of their work.
For iMediaTechs, it was both an achievement and a responsibility. We will continue to stand by Lebanon’s media community, providing the knowledge and skills needed for a future where technology strengthens, not weakens, the truth.
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